A long time ago

So, I got my Star Wars IV-VI (original trilogy) DVD set today, and I watched episode IV. First off, I'd like to say that they've done an amazing job of cleaning up the movies. The picture was unbelievably sharp throughout almost the entire film, especially when considering that the movie is older than I am. The production quality of the discs themselves is nothing short of spectacular (of course, Lucas would have nothing less).

So, I'm not much of a Star Wars fan. I haven't even seen episodes V and VI in their contiguous entirety, and there were even moments in episode IV that I didn't recognize at all. I purchased the DVD set because I've been anti-Star Wars for almost as long as I can remember. It got to the point where I could barely remember why I didn't like Star Wars, and so I decided I should watch the original trilogy in their sexy DVD forms and let go of my preconceived notions. I am going to try my absolute best to judge them objectively, and completely ignore everything about Star Wars that I knew from before, which isn't much: about all I know from episodes V and VI is that at some point the Death Star is rebuilt, and Anakin/Vader is Luke's father, and I'm not exaggerating much.

So, as I implied, I watched episode IV tonight. Don't get me wrong, it's overall a good movie. But, if it weren't such a cultural icon, I still don't see any particular reason that future generations would have to see it. I felt similarly about Fellowship of the Ring: I thought that, by itself, it was an excellent movie, but not a required viewing for all eternity. After seeing the next two LOTR movies I changed my mind. Perhaps the same thing will happen with Star Wars. But, as it stands now, I'm content, but certainly not overwhelmed with respect. It's a pretty good movie—better than I really let myself believe—but it's not a 10/10. It's not even a 9/10. It lost some points for some stupid silliness, some of the acting, and the technical problems that come with being such an old movie (bad editing, bad costumes, low-tech buttons and switches, and so forth). Still, I anxiously await watching the next two movies (sorta for the first time). Just as long as I get them watched before my camera gets here. :)

I probably shouldn't mention that, as it stands, Attack of the Clones is my favorite Star Wars movie.